Gorillas Rwanda
Premium Accommodated
GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT - $1500
The gorilla trekking experience requires a pre-purchased permit, subject to availability at the time of booking, at a cost of USD 1,500 per person, per trek. This permit fee is not included in your tour price and must be secured at the time of booking your safari. Minimum age: 15 years.
Discover Rwanda’s beauty and spirit on this 7-day journey from Kigali to the Volcanoes and Akagera National Parks. Explore Kigali’s history, trek endangered mountain gorillas in misty forests, and enjoy Big Five safaris and lake cruises in Akagera—an unforgettable blend of culture, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes.
Our Premium Journeys are designed for travelers who want comfort, character, and connection woven seamlessly into their African adventure. Staying in carefully selected 3–5 star lodges and boutique camps, you’ll enjoy en-suite rooms, hearty meals, and welcoming hospitality at the end of each day. With shorter travel days, more time is spent where it matters most—immersed in the landscapes, wildlife, and culture that make each destination unforgettable. Whether it’s a sunset boat cruise on a quiet river, a glass of wine by the fire, or waking up to birdsong in the bush, our itineraries are crafted to maximize unhurried, meaningful moments. Travel in smaller groups for a more personal experience, with expert guides who bring every story and sight to life. Premium Journeys strike the perfect balance of comfort and adventure, leaving you free to focus on the joy of discovery.
Guided travel involves hiring a professional guide who serves as a local guide and driver, and takes care of the driving responsibilities. The traveler can focus on enjoying the trip and the destination without the stress of driving. The driver-guide provides local knowledge, expertise, and recommendations, and can offer a more immersive and personalized experience. It can be more expensive than self-drive travel but provides convenience, safety, and local insights.
Your 7-day Rwanda journey combines culture, history, and thrilling wildlife encounters. Starting in Kigali, guests settle into the iconic Hotel des Mille Collines, renowned for its heritage and city views. A private Kigali City Tour follows, exploring the capital’s past and future, highlighted by an emotional visit to the Genocide Memorial, before travelling north to the Volcanoes National Park region.
Day three offers a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience, where guests hike through misty forests to encounter one of the planet’s most endangered species in their natural habitat. The trek, guided by experienced rangers, provides an hour of unforgettable observation and connection with these gentle giants.
From the volcanic highlands, the journey continues east to Akagera National Park, a striking contrast of open savannahs, lakes, and wooded hills. Over two days, travellers enjoy Big Five game drives and a tranquil boat cruise on Lake Ihema, spotting elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife. Evenings are spent relaxing at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, taking in sunset views over the wilderness.
The adventure concludes with a scenic drive back to Kigali for your onward flight, leaving you with memories of Rwanda’s warmth, resilience, and remarkable diversity — from mountain gorillas to open plains, from historic depth to modern renewal — a journey celebrating the very heart of Africa.
2026 & 2027 departures
Gorillas Rwanda
Scheduled dates are a planning guide. Current availability should be reconfirmed through the booking page.
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Journey Itinerary
Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be welcomed by a dedicated representative and transferred to your accommodation for the night. A Rwandan icon since its inauguration in 1973, Hotel des Mille Collines rose to global recognition through the acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda and remains the country’s most celebrated hotel. Perfectly located in Kigali’s central business district, the hotel offers sweeping views of the city’s rolling hills and an atmosphere of refined comfort. Your stay promises a true “home away from home,” combining heritage, style, and comfort in one of Kigali’s most distinguished addresses.
After breakfast, you will set out on a privately guided city tour of Kigali. Your journey begins with a look at the city’s origins, from its first modern buildings to the vibrant neighbourhoods shaping Rwanda’s future. A highlight of the day is a moving visit to the Genocide Memorial, the resting place of over 250,000 victims of the 1994 tragedy. Both a place of remembrance and education, it reflects not only Rwanda’s painful past but also its remarkable resilience and progress. Later, we travel north to the foothills of the Virunga Massif and settle into your lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
Today brings one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on earth – tracking the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda. You will report to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in the early morning for a briefing by your lead guide, who will outline trekking procedures and allocate you to a gorilla family group suited to your fitness level. Your trek begins with a drive up the forested slopes to the starting point before setting off on foot in search of these remarkable primates. The duration of the trek varies, lasting anywhere from two hours to a full day, depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once located, you will be granted the rare privilege of spending up to one hour in their presence, observing their behaviour and daily interactions – a truly humbling and unforgettable experience. Please note: The gorilla trekking experience requires a pre-purchased permit, subject to availability at the time of booking, at a cost of USD 1,500 per person, per trek. This permit fee is not included in your tour price and must be secured at the time of booking your safari. Minimum age: 15 years.
This morning, continue your Rwandan journey as you travel east to Akagera National Park, a region of sweeping savannah, rolling hills, and glittering lakes. On arrival, settle into your lodge, perched high on a hilltop with commanding views over the park. You can unwind at the inviting pool deck or enjoy drinks at the bar, with views stretching across Lake Ihema and Lake Shikani. Just a short drive from the lake itself, the lodge is ideally positioned for boat excursions and game drives into Akagera’s unique wilderness.
Over the next two days, immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only Big Five reserve and a sanctuary of remarkable biodiversity. The park’s landscape is a striking contrast to the country’s famed misty mountains, with rolling savannah plains, woodlands, and shimmering lakes creating a picture-perfect setting for safari adventures. You will set out on exhilarating game drives in search of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino, alongside an impressive variety of plains game and over 500 species of birds. Between drives, enjoy the serenity of a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where pods of hippo and basking crocodiles share the waters with abundant birdlife, from African fish eagles to dazzling kingfishers. Evenings invite relaxation back at your lodge, perhaps sipping a sundowner as the sky turns golden over the savannah, followed by dinner with uninterrupted views across the wilderness.
After breakfast, bid farewell to Akagera’s sweeping landscapes as you journey back to Kigali. On arrival, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your onward travels. Please ensure your international flight is scheduled for the evening to allow for a comfortable transfer.
- All services except those listed
- Inbound Flights, Airport taxes
- Visas
- Porterage
- Tips and gratuities
- Anything of personal nature
If you require accommodation before or after your journey we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers – contact your travel agent or Nomad to make these bookings.
Nomad has a non-profit Trust that looks after the people, animals and places that we visit. We realise that a footprint is left where we travel and for this reason, the Nomad Africa Trust was established. Your donation to the Trust is called a “Green Seat”. If you would like to help Nomad making Africa Greener, simply choose the tick box during your booking process (or contact us afterwards to add it) and we will take care of the rest. The Nomad African Trust is responsible for the administration of the funds collected from the sale of the green seats and these funds are distributed to various projects as identified by the Trust.
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